With just nine days left before the crucial casino referendum vote, the police and fire unions today announced their endorsement of Foxwoods’ proposed billion-dollar resort casino.

Under the terms of a host-community agreement that the Board of Selectmen signed on Sept. 9, Foxwoods — proposing a 980,000-square-foot casino at the intersection of Interstate 495 and Rte. 16 — promises to pay the town $32 million up front and an estimated $31 million annually.

Should the vote pass, the police and fire departments stand to receive more than $2 million in up-front payments with annual compensation of $2.5 million to cover increased personnel and equipment.

Through the agreement, the police department would gain nine new officers, four new dispatchers, two new vehicles and a firing range at an initial cost of $340,000 and an ongoing payment of $1.4 million.

"We’ve given our endorsement because we think the resort casino will be good for Milford," Police Association President Robert Tusino said in a statement. "Revenue to the town, more jobs and property tax relief are all good for Milford’s citizens, resulting in an improved local economy, which means a safer community. The town will grow and the police department will have the ability to grow with it."

Meanwhile, the fire department would be able to hire nine new firefighters. And there will be an initial payment of $122,500 for equipment and an annual payment of $1.1 million.

Firefighters Association President Sean Meehan said in a statement, "No other type of developer would have provided the support we’re getting with the resort casino. We asked for more resources to accommodate the development, and we got them. A residential or commercial development on the property would just mean more calls with existing capabilities."

Foxwoods President and CEO Scott Butera called the endorsement "an important milestone."

"With the resort casino, Milford will become a more prosperous community," he said in a statement. "Our provisions for increased resources will help public safety in Milford, and we’re grateful for the vote of confidence from both of the town’s public safety unions."

The casino referendum is scheduled for Nov. 19. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Precincts 1 and 4 vote at the Milford Senior Center, 60 North Bow St., precincts 2 and 3 at the Italian American Veterans Hall, 4 Hayward Field, and precincts 5, 6, 7, and 8 at the Portuguese Club, 119 Prospect Heights.

Daily News Staff writer Lindsay Corcoran contributed to this report. Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com.